- November 25, 2024
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The Flagler Palm Coast boys soccer team lost eight seniors to graduation following last year’s district championship season. So, coming into this year with a much younger side, even the Bulldogs’ coaching staff didn’t know what to expect.
But with Tuesday’s 5-1 win over DeLand in the District 2-5A semifinals, FPC (11-3-2) is headed back to the district championship for the third straight year. And, for the fourth straight year, the Bulldogs will meet Spruce Creek. (Spruce Creek, the No. 1 seed by virtue of a coin toss, mercy-ruled University, 8-0, in the other semifinal game.)
Senior Nick Varon, who scored the first goal on Tuesday night with a right-footed curler to the back stick that gave FPC a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute, said this year’s team has the same mentality it has had under coach Noah Braun for the last four years.
“We play to win no matter how old or young we are,” Varon said. “We play our hardest to get the win, and that’s what we are going to do Friday night.”
Because of the coin toss, FPC will travel to Spruce Creek. Kick is set for 7 p.m.
Bruan said after the game that he did sense some nerves from his players.
“I think half our team has never been in this situation before,” he said. “It was pretty evident that some of the guys were shaken a little bit by the pressure.”
With Tuesday’s win, FPC isguaranteed at least two more games: the district final and the first round of the state playoffs.
Braun said players tend to relax a bit after securing those two games, because they don’t want to see their season end.
“For me, that’s not the right mentality,” he said.
In two games this season, FPC and Spruce Creek each have a win. Both games were 3-2 decisions.
“On paper, they’re a better team than we are,” Braun said. “It’s going to come down to details and who’s going to take advantage of mistakes.”
For a photo gallery from Tuesday night's game vs. DeLand, click HERE.
